Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
3 Nephi Chapter 5
Jesus then spoke to the multitude, "Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these
twelve" (45; John 15:16) It will be seen that hereafter this body of priesthood is always referred to
as "the twelve" or "the disciples" but never as "apostles." It is clear that they were to minister to
the church in America in the same manner as the apostles he called and ordained in Palestine.
Moroni wrote that after Christ laid his hands on the twelve on the Western continent, he gave them
power to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost: "in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine
apostles" (Mi. 2:1, 2).
3 Ne 5:49 Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of
humility, and be baptized; for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a
remission of their sins.
No greater blessing can be bestowed on mankind than this. Yet there are other aspects of human
endeavor which Jesus spelled out for the Nephites. He blessed "the poor in spirit who come unto
me" (50). Also those who mourn, for the gospel will comfort (51), the meek (52), those who
hunger after righteousness (53), the merciful (54), the pure in heart (55), the peacemakers (56), the
"persecuted for my name's sake" (57), and those reviled and accused "falsely, for my sake" (58).
A MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION, VER. 60-115
3 Ne 5:64 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets. I am not come to destroy but to
fulfill;
Luke recorded Jesus' statement, "The law and the prophets testify of me; ...even until John.
...Since that time, the kingdom of God is preached, and every man who seeketh truth presseth into
it" (Luke 16:17, 18).
"Behold I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father" (III N. 5:66; John 12:49,
50).
3 Ne 5:68 For verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have
commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"-Our Lord was not holding them responsible any longer for observing the Mosaic law, nor what
he gave his other sheep. He was covering the essential points for salvation right then.
Then he warned them against murder (69), even of being "angry with his brother." To call one
"Raca" (empty-headed), or a "fool," would put the accuser in danger (70). Before attempting to
worship, if one knows his brother "hath aught against thee" (71; Matt. 5:25, 26); go to him, and
first be reconciled to thy brother (III N. 5:72). Note that the initiative is placed on the one
'offended. It is human for a person who feels he has been insulted or wronged by another to stand
on his wounded dignity and claim that since the other person committed the offending act it is his
place to make the first move toward reconciliation, Jesus' command denies this claim. The other
person may not know, and often he does not know, that what he said or did gave offense.
Therefore, "waiting for the offender to come to the offended is like putting a man in prison
without a trial and conviction (75),